How to jump a battery

[markitzero]

My wife's battery just died and I sat in the snow like a jackass trying to figure out how this thing is wired. I found the positive relay or whatever under the hood, but wasn't sure which post I should use for the negative end. It might not even matter, but I'm terrified of shorting out my car so I just found some random dude in the parking lot.

For future reference: what the hell is going on under the hood, and how could I use my car as a donor? I think if I'm getting my car jumped it doesn't matter what I hook the neutral wire up to, but if I'm the donor...what do I do?

 

[1Evil55]

IIRC there is a neutral post near the positive connection under the hood. Basically anywhere you can ground should be fine. When you eventually get back into the garage, I'd strongly encourage you to open the hood and get a little familiar.

 

[albertw]

Or you could take a couple minutes to find what you need in the manual.

 

[markitzero]

Or you could take a couple minutes to find what you need in the manual.

well the diagram in the manual shows the 2.0 liter and says "the 3.6 is similar," only it's not really. It also stresses how you can easily short out the car and GM will not give you any warranty repairs, so I'm trying to get good advice

 

[ngoni]

Per the manual, 9 points at the negative terminal you are meant to use for jump starts and trickle charging.

On the 2025 CT4 manual, this is at pages 298-299.

 

[markitzero]

Per the manual, 9 points at the negative terminal you are meant to use for jump starts and trickle charging.

View attachment 33746

On the 2025 CT4 manual, this is at pages 298-299.

I like the pic, but if I'm the donor vehicle I don't think all of those work, don't I need both of my ends on the battery leads.

 

[shbox]

I know where all the right posts are for attachment under the hood, but anymore I feel it is risky to try to jump another car with mine and won't do it. If the other person does not know what they are doing with jumper cables, bad things could happen to your car. I carry a jump box in the trunk. They are super handy.

 

[ngoni]

OK maybe you shouldn't be offering to connect things to your car or you need to re-read the manual a few more times. But in case you really really really want to do it: red cable goes to #7 (after you remove the red plastic cover), and black goes to #9. Connections happen at the end of lines 7 and 9, not at the numbers themselves. All the other numbers on the diagram are for other things, not for jump starting cars as explained on the page after this picture. Also this picture is in black and white, your car is probably not black and white inside.

 

[markitzero]

OK maybe you shouldn't be offering to connect things to your car or you need to re-read the manual a few more times. But in case you really really really want to do it: red cable goes to #7 (after you remove the red plastic cover), and black goes to #9. Connections happen at the end of lines 7 and 9, not at the numbers themselves. All the other numbers on the diagram are for other things, not for jump starting cars as explained on the page after this picture. Also this picture is in black and white, your car is probably not black and white inside.

Wife's van is broken down, I'm trying to help with a car I've had for 6 months. I've jump started cars a billion times and never worried about it. If I short out the electronics we're both boned. A guy parked next to us and we jumped it in seconds, I had to walk him through it. I realize you think I'm an idiot here, but I have no interest in finding out I am by wrecking my new car. I tried flipping through the manual and checking youtube, but was not 100%, guaranteed no doubt confident.

So I took a pic with the indicated spots. Am I correct in saying, under the assumption I have a working battery and my wife's van has a dead battery that the steps are.

1) Place (+) red end on dead battery (honda)
2) place (+) end on live battery (blackwing, as circled in pic in RED)
3) Place (-) end on live battery (blackwing, as circled in pic in BLACK)
4) connect (-) end on dead battery (honda)

Start blackwing and let run for a few minutes, and then start honda. All good hopefully.

Removal prodecure, Exact reverse.
1) remove (-) end off dead battery (honda)
2) Remove (-) end off live battery (blackwing, as circled in pic in BLACK)
3) remove (+) end off live battery (blackwing as circled in pic in RED)
4) remove (+) end off dead battery (honda).

For the record I'm buying a GB70 and not ever going to try this, but maybe I can feel like I at least know how in case it matters.

 

[jbawden]

Well, I think it's great that you asked someone for help rather than posting an unfortunate PSA about bricking your BW from a car-to-car connection gone wrong.

@shbox is on point with the jumper box. I have them in all my cars because the libertarian in me says to be ready to help yourself. Helping others without risking my car is secondary.

https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GBX45-UltraSafe-Powerbank-6-5-Liter/dp/B0924V8SPC/ref=sr_1_1_pp?crid=1DC32BHHG1096&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.01WWdIHuatrDf5bfdAqBFQOddTVS_oYSmyJPW0MroPOmmg_kCBl12iVsc_doHmVqUKy3EoDNFsnHsLqTJvWYoztY2EP0xPlQVvG87JmcFzvAtYhZw4VgBDc1YLtTUB924T59BUdQX4H-FC525q2c2O00NlAkWnHh0AEb7jdYTPAL1ukZsLhBt9Y-f2kRfN4NFSiipDnk3Ry43yqPAoXknxKbdS5ItK8OWNiT6T3MUTI60vpTt6dy9DUOiXbwjJ_g5-kAmqkmLfusiII4-XN6Sv-d9sGcxXphFDXF48MKM8M.RQBkZUxuRaE8c1RX6r9gdMpEBD-X4bnFziwPANucCq0&dib_tag=se&keywords=noco+1250&qid=1773699198&s=automotive&sprefix=noco+1250%2Cautomotive%2C187&sr=1-1

 

[TexasHawkeye]

Well, I think it's great that you asked someone for help rather than posting an unfortunate PSA about bricking your BW from a car-to-car connection gone wrong.

@shbox is on point with the jumper box. I have them in all my cars because the libertarian in me says to be ready to help yourself. Helping others without risking my car is secondary.

https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GBX45-UltraSafe-Powerbank-6-5-Liter/dp/B0924V8SPC/ref=sr_1_1_pp?crid=1DC32BHHG1096&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.01WWdIHuatrDf5bfdAqBFQOddTVS_oYSmyJPW0MroPOmmg_kCBl12iVsc_doHmVqUKy3EoDNFsnHsLqTJvWYoztY2EP0xPlQVvG87JmcFzvAtYhZw4VgBDc1YLtTUB924T59BUdQX4H-FC525q2c2O00NlAkWnHh0AEb7jdYTPAL1ukZsLhBt9Y-f2kRfN4NFSiipDnk3Ry43yqPAoXknxKbdS5ItK8OWNiT6T3MUTI60vpTt6dy9DUOiXbwjJ_g5-kAmqkmLfusiII4-XN6Sv-d9sGcxXphFDXF48MKM8M.RQBkZUxuRaE8c1RX6r9gdMpEBD-X4bnFziwPANucCq0&dib_tag=se&keywords=noco+1250&qid=1773699198&s=automotive&sprefix=noco+1250%2Cautomotive%2C187&sr=1-1

Been meaning to get one of these especially as I approach my 3 year anniversary in this car. Your post reminded me to pull the trigger. Thanks!!